Raritan Township officials consider making portion of River Road one-way

RARITAN TOWNSHIP — Township officials are considering making a portion of River Road one-way in the hopes of diverting truck traffic from the narrow, winding road onto Case Boulevard.

The stretch of River Road from Route 202 to Case Boulevard is a busy throughway used by cars and trucks alike, planner Jamie Sunyak said, but reconfiguring traffic patterns could alleviate traffic and make the intersection safer.

"River Road is used as a bypass by everybody," she said. "It’s a dangerous segment. We know that it has issues."

The discussions are still in the early stages, but the options being considered include making the road one-way from Case Boulevard east to Rockafellow’s Mill Road and two-way for the remaining portion to Route 202, making the entire stretch from Case Boulevard to Route 202 one-way or making River Road a dead-end street with access from Case Boulevard or Route 202.

While they are leaning toward making it one-way, acting township engineer Tony Hajjar said the township would have to do a traffic study and receive approval from the state, county and neighboring Readington Township.

Traffic counts, for example, would help them decide which direction would be best for the one-way, he said.

They would also have to determine if the plan would affect nearby residents and businesses, he said.

The project would be the first step in a vision to build a greenway along the length of the river, Sunyak said, adding that a portion of the road could then be used to create a multi-use bike and pedestrian path.

The township has been working to acquire pieces of land along the south branch of the Raritan River, Committeeman John King said. The proposed greenway would emphasize the township's South Branch Historic District and provide new parkland and recreational options for residents, he said.

In the meantime, King said the township should consider reducing truck traffic on River Road with a weight limit or truck ban. Such an ordinance would also require state approval and a traffic study, Sunyak said.

"I'd like to make it really easy for trucks to use Case and very soothing for anybody else who wants to drive along River Road," King said.

In other news, Sunyak said a studio class from Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy will be studying the area to consider possibilities for a series of trails for walkers and cyclists along the river.

"We'll be able to take advantage of some free planning work," she said, adding that the instructor, Carlos Rodrigues, is a renowned planner.
Contact Cristina Rojas at (908) 948-1316 or crojas@hcdemocrat.com.